Halo 3 launch stirs up excitement

26-09-2007

by Ciara O'Brien

It's finally here -- Halo 3, the most eagerly awaited game for the Xbox 360, has hit the shelves.

It was a night of celebration for Microsoft, with stores opening at midnight on Tuesday to begin selling the video game, and an array of entertainment put on for the guests at the POD in Dublin's Harcourt Street.

The venue had been decked out with Xbox 360 consoles all containing the Halo 3 game that fans could play, and there were even a couple of "Master Chiefs" doing the rounds of the club.

The third and final chapter of the video game series resolves the unanswered questions surrounding Master Chief's fate at the end of the second game, and marks possibly the biggest launch for Microsoft's next generation console since the console itself hit the market.

The game had already sold more than 1.5 million copies before stores opened their doors, thanks to pre-orders. According to Microsoft, this makes it the fastest pre-selling game in history, and has even outdone the previous record set by pre-sales of Halo 2.

Games retailer Gamestop was planning to open 14 stores across Ireland at midnight to celebrate the launch, with the Stephens Green Centre store in Dublin providing the highlight. Live entertainment and an appearance by Master Chief were promised to keep fans amused while waiting for the store to begin selling.

The game is being made available in three versions -- the standard edition priced at EUR64.99; a limited edition shipping in a metal collector's case with a bonus disc of content and a special "Halo" fiction and art book, for EUR74.99; and the collector's Legendary Edition, which will set fans back EUR99.99 for the sake of a collectible Spartan helmet case, two bonus discs and the guarantee that there are a limited quantity out there.

The game is hoped to be the boost Microsoft needs in the games market. Although it was first to market with its next generation console, the Nintendo Wii has proven to be a big hit with gamers. However, the Halo series is reported to be the most profitable video game franchise in history, and has already sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. It may be just what the console needs to spur it into profitability and give it the edge over its competitors.

It seems Microsoft was pulling out the big guns across the globe. In the UK, the London launch saw an appearance by US producer Pharrell Williams, while teen star Zac Efron attended a launch party in the US.

However, there was one disappointment for Irish partygoers last night -- the lack of celebrity presence. Microsoft had flown in Richard Dean Anderson, aka MacGyver, to help promote the game in Ireland, and by all accounts it was certainly a whirlwind of activity, with radio appearances, photocalls and interviews scheduled all day.

But despite the crowd's anticipation, an appearance at the POD party was not part of his "contractual obligations". As of 11pm last night, there was no sign of MacGyver -- unless he was keeping a very low profile. It seems even the most resourceful man alive has to take a break some time.